To borrow a phrase from the late great Congressman John R. Lewis, I hope to get into “good trouble” for this post.
In 1963, John Phillips woke his wife Michelle in the middle of the night to tell her about a song idea. Michelle wanted to go back to sleep, but John encouraged her to get up and help him write the song. She wrote the second verse, and two years later they’d record it with Cass Elliot and Denny Doherty. John, Michelle, Cass, and Denny were The Mamas and the Papas, and the song was California Dreamin’. It was a huge hit.
I’m old enough to remember when that song was new. And now, 55 years later, I’ve taken the liberty of rewriting John and Michelle’s iconic lyrics with a new message for 2020. I’ve even recorded it in Garage Band, added video with iMovie, and posted the song, I’m November Dreamin’, on YouTube.
You can experience the entire project (including three-part harmony, artwork that I found on Pixabay.com, and video of me rapping) here. Or just search YouTube for “I’m November Dreamin’. The title is unique, so far.
I’m no Mama Cass – I can’t sing as well as any of the Mamas OR the Papas – but I suppose I might qualify as The Grandma. I might, in fact, be the oldest rapper on YouTube.
I’m not here to toot my own horn. The whole purpose of the video (and this post) is to get Americans riled up enough to vote in November (for the alternative to “you know who”). So, if you like the video, I’d really appreciate it if you’d share it far and wide. And of course, I’d love to get your likes and comments here, and on YouTube.
Just in case you’d like to sing along with me, here are the lyrics to I’m November Dreamin’:
All the leaves are green and the sky is blue I’m hopin’ for a change, somethin’ we can do. I’ll be feelin’ better when this administration’s through. I’m November dreamin’ ‘bout electin’ someone new … I’m gonna vote by mail, maybe you are too, or you can go and stand in line where they will welcome you. Ya know it’s time to make a difference, Defeat old you-know-who. I’m November dreamin’ ‘bout electin’ someone new! Rap: This isn’t a game, and what’s even stranger is he’s deranged. Oh yeah, he’s dangerous. He won’t take blame, he lies and he’s lazy. Get him outta D.C. ... the guy is crazy! Puts kids in cages, but then he’s liable to brag about his brain while holdin’ a Bible! He insulted McCain, but he’s always rootin’ for his pals like Stone and Vladimir Putin! Don’t want more of the same? Then ya gotta be a chooser. You all know his name, let’s make him a loser. He appeals to his base … aww … they must be trippin’, It was a tight race, and now he’s slippin'. But NO! This is NOT the time to relax. Let’s give it what we’ve got up to the max. It’s our only shot! Don’t sit around and gloat. We’ve gotta vote! All the leaves are green and the sky is blue. We’ve got a racist in the White House, doesn’t have a clue. It’s really time for an eviction at Pennsylvania Avenue. I’m November dreamin’ ‘bout electin’ someone new, ‘bout electin’ someone blue, and I hope that you are too!
Again, thanks for comments and sharing!
loristory 